In this photo taken August 21, numbers of trucks are seen stranded on National Highway-29 Dimapur Bypass near Chathe River Bridge, Chümoukidima due to massive landslide near Dzüdza Bridge. (morung File Photo)
Kohima, August 27 (MExN): Since the occurrence of the massive landslide near Dzüdza Bridge on National Highway-29, the State machinery, from Administration to the NH Department, has lent support in every way possible to assist in expediting the work to open the highway for traffic, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang maintained on Tuesday.
The State Government has also imposed a 72-hour deadline on the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to clear the blockage and restore traffic, informed a statement from Deputy CM office.
As per the statement, the State Government has also been in constant touch with the implementing agency, NHIDCL over the issue, asserted a press statement issued by the Office of the Deputy CM, to address some ‘misgivings about the sincerity of the State Government and, in particular, the NH Department’ regarding the landslide.
It further noted that a landslide of such magnitude needs to be understood from a geological perspective as well, to stop the mudslide from the top of the hill and accelerate the clearance work below.
In this connection, a team from the District Administration, Geology & Mining Department, and NPWD visited the site on August 20.
A meeting with the contractor was also held on the same day, during which a clear direction was given that clearing the debris as the highest priority, the statement read.
However, due to slow progress of work, the NHIDCL along with the contractor, was called to a meeting held in the Conference Room of the Chief Secretary on August 26, under the Chairmanship of the Development Commissioner, it maintained.
Some misunderstanding between the EPC Contractor and NHIDCL with regard to the scope of work was observed during the meeting negatively impacting the work progress, it said.
The Department of Geology and Mining (DGM) also opined that water should be drained from the top using a muck pump and diverted to the river to minimise and stop the water from further carrying the mud down to the highway, it added.
The DGM also observed that the stone quarry above the area could be triggering the landslide, and NHIDCL has been asked to take note of this observation and promptly work on it to solve the problem, the statement informed.
It further claimed that, taking serious cognisance of the lackadaisical attitude of NHIDCL and also the contractor in clearing the blockage, the State Government, through the Works & Housing Department, has written to the Executive Director (P) RO-Kohima Nagaland, with a deadline of 72 hours to “clear and open” the highway for regular traffic.
In case of failure on the part of NHIDCL to comply, the State Government would employ the required machinery and workforce to open the highway, and the cost incurred would be borne by NHIDCL, it added.
This arrangement, the statement asserted, was necessitated as the public “cannot be left to suffer because of dereliction and negligence of the implementing agency.”
The State Government, in all seriousness, has always prioritised the convenience and safety of the public and is neither complacent nor idle regarding the plight of the people, it said.
The Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the Minister In-charge of National Highways, assured that all possible means will be explored relentlessly so that the people of the State and neighbouring states are not inconvenienced any further due to the blockage on the highway, it added.
